Mirrors from Glasgow Theatre Royal in sale

Sixteen items of Scottish theatre history are set to be sold at Glasgow auction house, McTear’s later this week, when a collection of 19th-century mirrors goes under the hammer.

The mirrors all come from the city’s historic Theatre Royal, and have been kept in storage following its multi-million pound transformation.

Amy Cameron from McTear’s Auctioneers polishes one of sixteen 19th Century mirrors from Glasgow’s Theatre Royal that are scheduled to go to auction on 17th November. Picture by Chris James

With the restoration of the city’s longest-running theatre now complete, owners Scottish Opera are putting the mirrors up for auction.

Alex Reedijk, General Director of Scottish Opera, said, “These items, including a number of beautiful mirrors, are loaded with theatrical history. They are the last remaining fittings from the older part of the Theatre Royal, replaced with the addition of the spectacular new foyers in 2014, and we are keen to give others a unique opportunity to enjoy them and their connection with Glasgow’s great cultural tradition by putting them to auction. The stories they could tell!”

The highly decorative mirrors come in varying sizes with a selection of wall, over mantel and floor standing lots expected to fetch several hundred pounds each.

In addition to the mirrors, the Theatre Royal memorabilia will include two chandeliers, a selection of café tables and chairs, and a number of original mahogany doors.

Brian Clements, Managing Director at McTear’s, said, “The Theatre Royal has a long and rich heritage, and there is no doubt that over the past 150 years these mirrors will have reflected the images of many of the theatre world’s most revered performers. These are wonderful pieces – with tremendous provenance – and I am delighted that lovers of culture across the world will have the opportunity to bid for their very own piece of theatre history.”

The Theatre Royal lots will be included in McTear’s Works of Art Auction in Glasgow on November 17.